Jobs are taking off at the new Qantas Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide, with more than 400 highly skilled digital jobs being created, alongside a new graduate development pathway.
Qantas’ first innovation hub, made possible through a landmark commercial agreement between the South Australian Government and the airline, will create the next generation of the airline’s customer facing digital experiences, from booking flights, to managing disruptions.
The hub will help to showcase South Australia’s digital leadership, demonstrated through the state’s leading tech research, innovation ecosystem and growing workforce.
The first 50 employees have already begun working at the purpose-built offices with approximately half of that cohort relocating to South Australia for the role.
“Where we’re heading with technology and AI is about knowing our customers better, anticipating what they need, and making every part of their journey feel connected,” said Rachel Yangoyan, Qantas Chief Technology, AI and Transformation Officer. “This centre is central to that. It’s already helping us tap into some of the best talent in the country to build more personalised travel experiences for the millions of customers who fly with us every year.
“Adelaide gives us access to world-class universities, a thriving tech community, and the ability to scale our in-house capability. It’s an investment in Australian innovation that will deliver real benefits for our customers into the future.”
Over the next three years, the Hub will be home to more than 400 digital and technology roles, with Qantas currently recruiting for a further 40 roles. The initial cohort of Adelaide-based employees have been working on real-time customer feedback tools, and new digital experiences.
In addition to the digital jobs, the airline has partnered with Adelaide University to create a graduate pathway program to help develop the next generation of Australian technology talent.
This includes a collaboration with Adelaide University’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), providing scholarships for PhD and Honours students in AIML’s Industrial AI Program. Set to begin in February 2027, hundreds of applications have been received for the first round of the graduate program.
The Product Innovation Centre has embedded AI into its product development processes to help teams test, prototype, analyse feedback and solve customer problems faster. Combined with product, design and engineering expertise, it allows teams to move more quickly from an idea to a solution that improves the customer experience.
